Trump supporter travels to Youngstown to see the man who saved his dad's life

President Donald Trump and Shane Bouvet. (Source: Shane Bouvet)

July 26, 2017 at 12:33 AM EST - Updated August 10 at 9:37 AM

Shane Bouvet in Youngstown. (Source: WOIO)

Lines to get inside th Covelli Centre (Source: WOIO)

President Trump t-shirts for sale. (Source: WOIO)

Trump protesters (Source: WOIO)

YOUNGSTOWN, OH (WOIO) - Fewer than six months after receiving what he calls the "greatest gift of his life," an Illinois man traveled to Youngstown to see the person responsible.

Shane Bouvet, 25, of Stonington, Ill is a former volunteer for the Trump campaign and drove to Youngstown to attend President Trump's 'Rally in the Valley' on Tuesday.

Shane says he met the president last year after President Donald Trump read an article in the Washington Post about him and was inspired.

Shane's father, Donald Bouvet, was suffering from bladder cancer and was struggling to pay for treatments. Shane said during the meeting Trump thanked him for his work, called and talked to his father, and then promised him $10,000.

"Donald Trump read the article, he was touched by it. He invited me to the welcome ceremony and offered me $10,000 to help my family pay doctor bills," said Shane Bouvet.

He said the fortunate gift was so unexpected, adding his dad is still here because of the President.

"I'm just blessed. I wake up every day knowing I am blessed because my dad is in remission," he said.

Days after the meeting, the check came in the mail with a note thanking Shane Bouvet for all his hard work.

Shane says he hopes to get a chance to talk to President Trump before he leaves Youngstown but if he doesn't, he'll still be forever grateful.

But not everyone was as happy as Shane to see the President in town.

Like many retirees, Beverly Austin, of Hubbard, OH is concerned about healthcare.

"Access to affordable healthcare will quickly become a thing of the past," said Austin. "More out-of-pocket costs for care not covered by insurance really scares me."

Austin was among the dozen or so protesters who showed up to voice their concerns. Police kept the demonstrators separate, across the street from the Covelli Centre where the president was speaking.

During President Trump's speech he talked about repealing Obamacare, bringing jobs back to the city and found flaws in the media. He also promised voters that the wall, along the Mexican border, will go up.

"We will build the wall. And walls to work. After decades of rebuilding other nations we are finally going to rebuild our nation," President Trump said. "After spending billions of dollars defending other nations borders we are finally defending our borders."

About 20,000 people registered for his rally but not all 20,000 showed up. An exact number has not been released.